mineral

Milky Quartz Pebble

Crystalline Quartz (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white to light tan with brownish iron staining; Luster: Waxy to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None/Conchoidal fracture; Specific Gravity: 2.65

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Milky white to light tan with brownish iron staining
Luster: Waxy to vitreous

Identified July 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from silica-rich hydrothermal solutions or as a constituent of igneous and metamorphic rocks. This specimen is a water-worn river pebble, likely shaped over thousands of years through fluvial erosion.

Uses & applications

Used in construction as aggregate, in glass making, as a source for silicon, and frequently collected as landscaping stone or decorative river rock.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. Pure quartz is clear, but tiny fluid inclusions of gas or liquid trapped during crystal growth create the 'milky' opaque white appearance seen here.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its hardness (will scratch glass), lack of cleavage, and smooth, rounded water-worn texture. Often found in riverbeds, glacial deposits, and beaches.